California coastal prairie, chaparral, and shrub

Research DescriptionOngoing research in my lab investigates a range of questions related to restoration of prairie, chaparral, and scrub habitats along the central California coast. Dr. Grey Hayes and I have studied the effects of cattle grazing and mowing on endangered annual herbs in California coastal prairie, using both large scale surveys and manipulative studies at multiple sites. Our results suggest that when native species are present, grazing favors native annual forbs, but decreases the cover of native perennial forbs (Hayes and Holl 2003a). However, in the absence of a native seed bank clipping serves primarily to shift the vegetation community composition from exotic annual grasses to exotic annual forbs (Holl and Hayes 2003b, 2011). Graduate student Josie Lesage is currently following up on this research. Over the past few years, I have worked with students and staff at the Younger Lagoon University of California Natural Reserve to study restoration methods for coastal prairie and scrub habitats. I have also conducted research on chaparral restoration at Fort Ord University of Calfornia Natural Reserve and beyond.